Dental Hygienist Salary in Austin, TX: $110,691 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Austin, TX earns a median $110,691/year (≈ $53.22/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Austin's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.1), that paycheck buys what $112,874 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 15.5% above the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, dental hygienists in Austin, TX are projected to earn a median annual salary of $110,691, reflecting a robust competitive edge over the national median of $102,946. This city-specific figure is derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, revealing a salary range from $60,991 at the 10th percentile to $126,369 at the 90th percentile. Such compensation is indicative of Austin's growing dental sector, which has maintained strong demand for skilled hygienists, particularly in the face of rising living costs and competitive market dynamics. As one of the faster-growing metropolitan areas in Texas, the demand for dental hygiene professionals aligns well with the general employment trends in the region.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $60,991 | $29.32 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $99,305 | $47.75 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $110,691 | $53.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $125,603 | $60.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $126,369 | $60.75 |
Median Salary Position
7.52% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Austin
In Austin, TX, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $65,378 (2026 est.). At $110,691, the local median is 7.52% above the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Austin: You'd be in the upper quartile
How Austin Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Austin median: $110,691/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Austin Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $95,836 | +15.50% more |
| National Average | $102,946 | +7.52% more |
Dental Hygienists in Austin, TX earn a median of $110,691 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.52% higher than the national median of $102,946 and 15.50% above the Texas state average of $95,836.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Austin has a cost of living 1.93% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Austin, TX has a cost-of-living index of 98.066 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $110,691 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $112,874 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.97% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$79,110
2025 BLS Actual
$105,480
2026 Current Est.
$110,691
2020–2027 Growth
+46.8%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Austin (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $79,110 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,630 | Actual |
| 2022 | $91,130 | Actual |
| 2023 | $96,740 | Actual |
| 2024 | $100,880 | Actual |
| 2025 | $105,480 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $110,691 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $116,159 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Austin metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 33.3% from $79,110 (2020) to $105,480 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $116,159 by 2027 — a total increase of $37,049 (46.83%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Austin metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.94% CAGR derived from 6-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $60,991 – $99,305 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $99,305 – $110,691 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $110,691 – $125,603 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $125,603 – $126,369 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Austin
At present, Austin employs approximately 1,270 dental hygienists, but the cost of living index at 98.066 suggests that salaries, while competitive, still reflect the relative affordability of the area. Employers offering the highest dental hygienist pay in Austin generally include Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) such as Heartland and Aspen, private practices that provide production-based bonuses, and pediatric specialty offices. Variability in salaries is often driven by factors like bonus structures tied to patient retention and the number of days worked per week, which can affect overall compensation. For those looking to enhance their pay, working in a DSO that provides benefits and sign-on bonuses is a practical strategy, especially as many solo practices do not offer comprehensive health insurance. Understanding these nuances can help dental hygienists in Austin make informed career choices that maximize their earning potential in this thriving market.
More salary data for Austin, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH
Dental Career Analyst
Sarah Chen is a registered dental hygienist with over 12 years of clinical experience. She specializes in salary benchmarking and career strategy, helping dental professionals make data-driven career decisions using official BLS statistics.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $105,480 for dental hygienistsin the Austin metropolitan area. A 4.94% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.94%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for dental hygienists (SOC 29-1292).
Compiled and verified by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH, a licensed dental hygienist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov